GIANTS rugby league chief Ken Davy today stubbed out rumours of a possible smoking ban at the McAlpine Stadium.

GIANTS rugby league chief Ken Davy today stubbed out rumours of a possible smoking ban at the McAlpine Stadium.

The prospective owner of Huddersfield Town said suggestions of a cigarette ban were "absolute nonsense."

Fans of both clubs have reacted angrily to the potential move, some threatening not to buy season tickets in future.

Stadium officials have now said there are no plans to change their policy on smoking, despite calls nationally for bans in restaurants, cinemas and other public places.

Mr Davy, whose takeover of Town has still to receive Football League approval, said:

"There are no plans to make the McAlpine Stadium non-smoking and to suggest otherwise is absolute nonsense.

"The smoking and non-smoking arrangements which currently exist seem to work from the fans' point of view and both the Giants and Town are very content with them."

The issue was debated yesterday at a board meeting of Kirklees Stadium Development Ltd, who run the multi-million pound complex.

On match days, the Panasonic Stand upper tier and the staff areas behind the dug-outs are non-smoking areas.

KSDL chief executive Kevin Collinge added: "The stadium company does not intend to change the policy on smoking at the McAlpine and we are not - and never have been - in discussions with any party regarding a change.

"We sincerely hope this resolves any queries fans may have on the matter."